Now that our computer is back (after it crashed), we are back...

The month of May in a nutshell....

ACSI choir competition...

When in 5th grade at RCS, that automatically puts you in the ACSI competition. I have now seen this event for the past two years. I thought these kids performance was outstanding! And so did the judges for they received a superior!

Art Museum Field Trip -

Courtney had a field trip to the art museum led by her art teacher. It's never a place that I get excited about going to - especially with two bus loads full of fifth graders, but every time I go I find something new which makes me thankful for going. Courtney wrote a paper on this piece of art (on the left). Unfortunately, you can't get the full effect of this picture because I zoomed in...but the picture is the full length and almost width of the entire wall. You couldn't help but notice this painting.

CHASA Band competition...

Lindsay performed with the band at the CHASA band competition. The band isn't only evaluated on performance but also for first time site reading through a music piece they never saw before (the last performance shown). This was the band director's first year, and you could taste the nervousness in the air. The band received all outstanding marks. Can I say that I wasn't one bit surprised???

Fifth Grade Choir Concert...

And as always when May approaches we are greeted with a Spring Concert, which Courtney was part of. This year the focus was on the story of Daniel. We enjoyed it all, and was astounded to see fire in the sanctuary as Meshach, Shadrach & Abednego were in the blazing furnace.

Junior High & High School Choir & Band concert ...

And being that we have a junior higher & high-schooler, we had a separate Spring Concert for them. We sat proud as always as we listened to the talents of all the kids...but of course took that much more pride when we saw our kids go up on stage, hear them play (and as usual find they are hidden behind stands or players). Lindsay not only played in her symphonic band, but enjoyed playing in the jazz band as well this year. Katie has done quite well with her flute this year, I love hearing her play as she practices at home as well with the other instruments. We are having a problem uploading this particular footage of video, so you won't have the privilege of hearing their performance.

Fifth Grade Service Project...

Each year the 5th grade lead the elementary in a service project. They start by having a penny war, normally bringing in about 4,000 dollars...this year they brought in $6,000. The 5th graders decided to split the amount by helping build a kindergarten room in Israel, helping the medical costs of a kindergartner in our school, who has cancer and then this... the video is long (I shortened it the best I could), but you have got to watch it, I couldn't help but weep and I couldn't help but be surprised to see how God can use a bunch of 5th graders. Their voices were heard very loudly that day...and they continue to be heard today. You must watch!!!!

Lindsay's Piano Recital...

And just before finals week, Lindsay fit a piano recital in. She was so focused on all her tests coming up, and weighed a heaviness in her heart from the loss of her friend that this wasn't the best performance she has done. But no matter what...we are still proud!

Talent Show...

It is a custom that the elementary school has a talent show during the last week of school - to show off the talent of their kids. To my surprise, Courtney performed....oh, how I laughed! This was so her...and then the following song was with all the 5th graders singing the song they performed at the Go Life rally.

Fifth Grade Hike Together...before 6th grade -


It is the 5th graders tradition to finish their year off with a hike. A time to celebrate finishing elementary school and a time of togetherness and encouragement. Duane and I both chose to attend this event. Now our baby is off to middle school!

Soccer Get-Together -

The soccer coach put together a little get-together to recognize the talents her players grew in this season. We had a parent against the players game! Katie was a bit surprised that her dad AND her mom could even kick the ball! We had a great time playing with our daughter and enjoying a part of her world.

Undergraduate Award ceremony -

The very same night as the soccer game, we quickly showered and changed in the school's facilities to attend the undergraduate award ceremony we were invited to. It was announced as a surprise to us all that Lindsay received an outstanding recognition in her music achievement. I am pleased to see all the lessons, time, and costs of all her lessons are starting to pay off!

And the celebration isn't complete without an evening out with her friends.

Last Day of School...

Courtney - We are called to be thankful in all circumstances, and yet there are some circumstances that God makes things so easy to be thankful for. We have had the joy to share our lives with Mrs. Miller for two years now (being that Katie had her too). And for her we are thankful and was blessed. We will miss having her in our lives as the role of 'teacher', but remain proud to call her "friend".

The fifth grade celebrate field day (which is the last day of school) with a kick ball game between the three classes...and the kids get to sit in the dunk tank for the younger kids to try and get them wet.

Katie - she finished 6th grade off so great - all A's a-matter-of-fact. I think back when she began school and I had so much hehesitancy, wondering if she could just survive through the drama, challenges, but mostly the need to stay on top of things and organized. Katie has proved to us how much she is capable of doing, especially with God on her side.

Lindsay - has a close friendship with a foreign exchange student from Korea. These girls in their quietness have become kindred spirits. Lindsay had been working on a quilt for her friend to remind her of their friendship as well as the life here in Colorado. Her friends was surprised, and then Lindsay was pleased to learn that her friend would be back for another year at RCS.

Lindsay has now finished 9th grade, and now is an official sophomore. She finished her year off strong in spite of her emotional challenge of loosing her best-friend. Her biggest lesson this year was learning what giving her best means...not loosing herself in all her academics, but doing the best she can with all that God brings into her life, and not taking any of it for granted. Lindsay chose to finish her 1/2 day of school with her friends.

We had a great school year, and have many reasons to give God thanks. We are thankful for the quietness of summer and this time of rest. The girls already look forward to be back next year, and all the next year brings.

Breakthrough!

Sometimes I am in such a place, where I feel forgotten. I know I'm not the only one that has been there, there are so many times we all go in those places. I have looked at God, and wondered..."Do you hear me?", I have even thought "oh, since I'm in such a place...I'm on the path that God doesn't want me on." I remember being told so many times that "things happen for a reason", meaning that if something doesn't go the way we want it to go "then it wasn't meant to be." Sometimes it is hard to be transparent, because as much as I love to receive sincere questions, they too lead to these doubts in my mind. And sometimes this transparency leaves you feeling even more isolated.

This past couple of weeks I have been searching for answers of "why". If I have to be honest, I have doubted that I have been on the right road with our whole adoption. I mean, I know I serve a God who can move mountains, who can change the hearts of his people, and can take hold of every opposition that stands in our way with not only this adoption but for the orphanage project and make it all happen. And if He can than why doesn't He? I have been trying to be obedient to Him, obeying where I thought He was leading but perhaps I just have it all wrong...I mean perhaps, just perhaps "it wasn't meant to be."

Satan thought he won His battle. But then God came with a week of breakthroughs!

I have mentioned that I am in a Bible study that I believe was just written for me. Every page I turn there is something God is trying to get through to me. And being I am a hand's on learner, He has given me circumstances each weak to help me learn the points at hand. I was reminded through the study of Esther, in order to celebrate God's victories we have to experience and see what is against us.

Mr. Geebro, the Minister of Health in Liberia has stood in the way of adoptions, has rejoiced that the President of Liberia has stopped adoptions and hasn't followed through with her promises, and now is standing in the way to bring the container the agency has sent (providing a building to be the new orphanage, solar & wind power instruments, supplies for the orphanage and so much more) from entering Liberia. This man and his accomplices have proved themselves over and over again that they aren't to be trusted, they aren't people of their words, and their actions clearly are against the agency and more importantly God. It is clear these government officials are a huge obstacle. And as I'm sure in their sight believe they are victorious. Is that you? Do you believe that this battle is just too big for us to be in? Have you looked at our situation and lost hope, because your eyes are on the situation and not on God?

Beth Moore said "some of us with little previous battle experience have no idea why God is allowing us to go through such difficult times in a place we thought was His will. He's trying to make warriors out of us, Girlfriend! Rise to the occasion! But we aren't meant to fight unseen forces alone. You and I have the Godgiven right to lock arms with our sisters and brothers in Christ and defend ourselves with the sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith. Here's the best part: When we do, we are guaranteed the victory. I said guaranteed."

I read these words, and felt as God was gently telling me something - gently telling me that I know you are in a difficult place, I know you thought you were in my will and you are! You are not alone, stand in the fight with your fellow believers and fight, I am with you and I want you to see how victorious I am". I am reassured God has me where I'm to be. A new friend reminded me yesterday that God puts desires in our hearts because He has so much love for us, and because He loves us so much it is His desire for those things to come to completion. I know some of you reading this, think that the breakthrough I have referred to was that of our children coming home. No, it's not. It saddens me too to think of them being away from me. But the breakthrough for me is knowing I am on the right path, that the old lies that I have been planted in my mind are no longer there because God has overcome it all. I know oppression will stop in Liberia, orphans will come home, and God's victory is coming. I do not know the day nor the hour, but I do know I want to be there to see it! "The Lord my God...turned the curse into a blessing for me, because the Lord my God loves me." Deat. 23:5

I know there are some government officials in the Liberian government celebrating because they believe they have won the fight. I know that there are some of you reading this not understanding how I can actually be celebrating because I don't have any physical evidence of what I say is true. But I know I have reason to celebrate for "The Lord my God is with us, He is might to save. He will take great delight in is, he will quiet us with his love, and will rejoice over us with singing." Zephaniah 3:17 Our God is honest. Our God is true. Our God loves. Our God saves.

The Archibalds are called to "fight the good fight" (1 Tim 1:18-19). And knowing that we are on the path God has chosen for us, and knowing our God is standing with us not against us, we accept to be His warriors. So we ask our fellow believers to stand up with us, link arms together and pray that God's will be done, that these curses we are enduring will be turned to God's blessings, and that Satan doesn't hold any power over these situations nor us.

We ponder over this quote, and is now a prayer for our family and Addy's Hope. "When because of your faith, your life too becomes perceptibly different; when your reactions are quite opposite to what the situation seems to call for and your activities can no longer be explained in terms of your personality; that is when your neighborhood will sit up and take notice. In the eyes of the world, it is not our relationship with Jesus Christ that counts; it is our resemblance to him!"

Torn Between Two Worlds

Well, I should be writing you journal, day 3, 4, ect. But time is an issue these days, and frankly, I just don't want to. To sum up all the days I was there...God moved each day. He made divine appointments each and every day, and not just one, but several. We met with congressmen, representatives and the agency even met with the vice-president. What I personally saw was scales falling off eyes, and the truth revealed. I saw many surprised expressions, as well as some faces surprised that we would be so bold to speak the truth. God opened many doors, and was moving. Bottom line, what does it all mean? Do we have a date that our kids will be home? No. But I can and continue to trust that God will have our kids home when He wants them home. And too, I am that much more confident that God has led us to the right agency and has built our agency director for "such a time as this".

The biggest question that I have received from everyone is "Was it hard to leave your kids?". Am I a horrible mother, because I have to say honestly "no"? I had God's peace with me that day. I knew I when I was going I wasn't necessarily coming back with them, I was hoping, but knew during the trip that our home isn't ready. We have more to do to get ourselves ready. I need to prepare and educate our girls more as to how to deal with different scenarios that will arise, so they know it isn't just a brother and sister that is coming home, but a culture too. We have nothing for Ruth, and we need to get her baby essentials, and of course, we want to do what is best for her and her adjustment so we research everything. I was embraced with peace that day, and left in full peace. Peace too that I knew that one day soon, I will see my kids again, and until then they are in a safe and loving environment, and most of all in God's most capable, able and loving hands. Because of that knowing, I had peace!

The biggest battle I have is now. There hasn't been a day that has gone by that I haven't thought about Liberia. And believe me, I have tried. The other day God had laid on my heart to get a certain woship CD to renew our time together. I picked it up at Target yesterday, as I peaked on the back to see the list of songs I saw a song that is sung by the artist and Watoto choir. You see, no matter how much I try God is not allowing "Africa" out of my mind, sight, ears - and now my heart. Yes, my heart. I cried in Target yesterday, and must have been a sight to see. But the burden I carry in my heart for these people, for this country is great. I long to even help, but what can a person like me do?

Each day I get behind the steering wheel. I have the anxiety of getting places constantly on time...sport practice, music lessons, doctor appointments, volunteer work at the school. Each place we are heading is led by the clock. The moment I got off the plane, and grabbed my luggage we were off to get the girls from school and trying to make a basketball game. I just got back from a country that has no concept of time to a country that is purly controled by lack of time and going 100 miles per hour because we fit too much in our days. I hate it! Each day as I get behind the steering wheel, I cry out to God "I know there is more to life than this. I have seen it. I have experienced it. Now what? Now how can I bring the there into here?" I am literally torn between two worlds. I have had a privildge and calling to go to Africa twice. This time returning I have had what many of you would call "culture shock". However, culture shock doesn't involve your heart and has nothing to do with stirring a passion within your soul. When I returned back from Uganda, I did experience "culture shock" and over time was able to accept the American world back into my life, but this time all I can say is that it is different.

I have now held my kids. I have laughed with them, fed them, cared for them, slept with them, even cried with them. I miss my kids! I long to have them with us, in my arms once again. And I am thankful I am not alone, for as much as I am longing to have them home, I know God is longing with me. He sees the big picture, and together we will wait until He says "go and get them", together we will wait, together we will long and together we will miss our kids.

Until they are home, I have created this video of all the pictures I have captured of Elijah and Ruthie while I was in Liberia. Enjoy seeing a glimpse of them, and please continue to pray with us that they will be home soon. (And don't forget to turn the music off at the bottom of the page.)

Journal, Day 2 - February 16, 2009

I am in Liberia. I confess I am still a little nervous thinking of what Elijah and Ruthie are going to think, how they will respond. We stopped for dinner before heading to the orphanage.

Liberia isn't a shock for me, for some aspects it reminds me of Uganda, but too it does have it's uniqueness. Funny thing is it all seems normal to me, and I have this sense of being home. We arrived at the orphanage and the kids were swarmed all around us to greet us all. Elijah and Ruth were not to be found - they were asleep. The workers went to get Ruth and brought her out to me. She reached out to me, and it was all such a surreal moment; my baby girls is in my arms. I was cradling her, rocking her and then her big brown eyes looked up to me, studying me and it was then my spirit leaped and I had an instant bond with her. We belong together, she is my child as my birth children are. Then the workers brought Elijah to me. And just like an Archibald, he was still half asleep, not able to take in the fullness of it all, nor able to comprehend all that was happening. Although he was awake enough to push all the other kids away from me so he could have me to himself. I went to bed knowing for the first time my youngest children are with me.

This morning we were up early ready for action. I stayed back at the orphanage while our director, another parent, the country's director and pastor went to arrange some meetings. The first door opened was our director running into a woman who is a Liberian congressman. They made arrangements to meet tomorrow about the issues at hand as well as how she can help us Americans by educating us about the Liberian culture.

Addy's Hope's social worker, Rachel came by to pick me up to meet everyone else for lunch. We then headed to the adoption meeting led by the very people who have been against us and have been trying to extort money from us. We found the meeting to be postponed until Thursday...surprised? No.

We then headed to the new site for the new orphanage. It is much bigger than what I have seen. The oppression on the neighboring people is worn on their faces. Addy's Hope is not just focusing on trying to build a better facility and focus on themselves by bringing hope and education for these very people that surround the land. These people are excited and welcoming to us. Adults are excited that they will even have the change to learn to read.

We then met with the attorney, who happened to be the advisor to the President (we never knew that fact until the end and were very surprised to learn that bit of information). She was surprised to hear of all the problems we have endured with some of the government officials. She recommended that we start with the press and educate the people of Liberia what adoption is, what our agency's goal is - and to stick to the facts, not the emotions. We were also told to meet with the legislation and request an investigation to the problems we continue to have.

Tonight I saw the truth exposed for the first time and scales starting to fall off some eyes. God has already opened many doors and we give Him all the glory!

Every Person Counts

I have always enjoyed learning through my children's lives. You know what I mean? Things like when you go to the post office and they will show you what happens when you drop your letter in the mailbox. Or how the grocery store manages all their goods. Everything we have done we have tried to show them how or why. I love learning this way too...remember, as I posted yesterday - I am a hands on learner.

Well, for over a month now Duane and I have been getting so many questions...all on that topic I try to get away from - POLITICS! I didn't like that subject in school, and I don't like arguing what I believe in. But my girls are asking and seeking. So we seek together. I explain to them the way I see it, how others see it, and encourage them to ask questions when they hear others speak on the subject.

Well we had a treat! A once in a life time experience! We had the privilege to go and see Sarah Palin speak at a rally that was just down the street from the girls school. I told them to write down the things they saw, make sure you listen to all around you, experience the excitement in the air. Remember, I'm not into politics, but how can you not be after going to a rally? The girls saw all the signs voting for different measures or people, badges and badges being sold, people trying to spoil the event by campaigning for the opponent. It was exciting. After standing three hours in the freezing cold we missed getting into the main building, and saw her on a big screen in the overflow building. But after her speech was over, she and her family came over and visited us there. The girls were excited.

So Duane and I sat down the night before last and cast our votes. The girls were intrigued by the whole thing. Checked out our ballets, and continued to ask what each measure meant. We reminded them it is our duty to vote, to make our voice heard how we want our nation to be run. And then I am reminded that the next time we vote for our president, Lindsay will be voting too.

As I have mentioned I am not really into politics. It doesn't mean that I am not concerned with this years elections, believe me I am. But Colorado has an exciting measure on the ballot. That being measure 48, stating that a person is a person at conception. We, of course encourage those Colorado voters out there to Vote yes.

The 21 year old that is responsible for getting this measure on the ballet was at the girl's school today as a guest speaker during chapel. I was encouraged. And I want to encourage all the young that they aren't too young to have a voice and to stir things up, and I remind you God can and will use them for the passions He stirs in you. I have posted a video that was shown during chapel, I hope this stirs encouragement in each of you. I also hope that our state will impact others in the years to come!

(Don't forget to turn off the music at the bottom of the blog as you view this video.)